Morocco readmitted to the African Union

Morocco, the only country in Africa which was not a member of the African Union, has rejoined the organization after more than 30 years. The country left the organization when the majority of member states recognized the independence of the territory of Western Sahara in 1984.

Western Sahara was annexed by Morocco in 1975, and since then it has been the focus of conflict between the country and indigenous people led by the Polisario Front. This week thirty-nine countries supported the readmission of Morocco into the African Union while nine voted against it.

All in all, Morocco’s return to the organization brings hope of peacebuilding in the territory. The foreign minister of Western Sahara, Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, has affirmed that it is a “positive step” for the population of Western Sahara.